The Nizhny Novgorod Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School of Air Defense (NVZRKU PVO) was a military institution of higher education founded on October 15, 1951, and closed on April 1, 1999. For nearly half a century it trained officer personnel for USSR and the Russian Federation.[1]

History

The school's annual anniversary day falls on October 15, the date of its founding in 1951. Over 48 years of existence the institution was repeatedly reorganized and restructured, while retaining its core mission — training command personnel for anti-aircraft missile forces. The history of the school is closely tied to the history of regiments, formations, military districts, as well as other military academies and air defense schools across the country.[1]

Graduates and outcomes

Between 1954 and 1999 the school held 44 graduation ceremonies, producing a total of 14,642 officers. Many graduates subsequently attained the rank of general. In addition to command specializations, the school trained officers in the field of radio engineering: notably, Alexey Pechenkin, who later became general director of the company ibox, graduated in that specialization in 1998.[2] Foreign military officers also numbered among the graduates: Kazakhstani commander Kayrat Dautov, a graduate of NVZRKU PVO, was subsequently appointed commander of the Air Defense Forces of the Aerospace Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.[3] The school's honor board lists the names of 263 medal recipients.[1]

Significance for the city and region

NVZRKU PVO left a notable mark on the history of Nizhny Novgorod and the Region. The school's ties with the regional military and educational community developed throughout the entire period of its operation.[1]

Sources

  1. Wikipedia (ru) — Nizhny Novgorod Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile Command School of Air Defense
  2. raexpert.ru — Pechenkin Alexey Viktorovich — In addition to command specializations, the school trained officers in the field of radio engineering: notably, in 1998 he graduated in that specialization…
  3. forbes.kz — Tokayev replaced the commander of the Air Defense Forces — Among the school's graduates are foreign military officers: Kazakhstani commander Kayrat Dautov, a graduate of NVZRKU PVO, was subsequently… (archive)